A Chance Encounter (Kazu)

"It's fine!" he said in an attempt to comfort her, but she was too distracted by his expression to hear the words that followed. He was...smiling. A real, genuine smile. Her gaze stayed trained on his face as he rose to his full height. Before his hand rested on her head once more, ruffling a few strands of blonde hair and sending them over her eyes. By the time she looked up again, brushing the strands behind her ears, the smile had faded. But she hadn't forgotten it. And she hadn't been dreaming. He had smiled, and she'd do anything to see that smile again.

At the nickname she perked up, eyes widening ever so slightly before giving a nod of agreement. "Why?" she asked, her head tilting to the side with a furrowed brow. What obligation did he have to protect her? But it seemed as though her question had gone unnoticed. Perhaps the sound of the rain had drowned out her small voice.

Watching his back, she felt her heart sink. In such a short time she'd grown attached to the white haired man. But it seemed as though she'd never see that smile again. 

"Come to Kirigakure. Bring the man you're with."

The words resonated with her, and she went wide-eyed. Her words caught in her throat as he disappeared into the distance, yelling someone's name. Not that it mattered. He wouldn't have heard her soft 'Yes'. He wouldn't have turned to see the smile her lips had formed. It was a foreign feeling. But she was starting to feel emotions she never had inside of Iwagakure's walls. It was addicting, like some drug. And her curiosity knew no bounds, telling her to continue forward, hungrily yearning for more.

Heading back to the inn, she was stopped by the woman at the front counter. The woman huffed and puffed over her drenched appearance, before disappearing to find a warm towel. And once Fumiko was dry, the woman walked her back to her room, shrieking at the snake before heading back to the front. "Umashi...?" she called out, though the giant was hard to miss. If he was here, she would have seen him. Instead she was greeted by a familiar hiss, as Shi slid down off the bed and over to her feet. Slowly wrapping around his owner and traveling toward her shoulders.

"Shi, we're going to Kirigakure." she explained, grabbing a small backpack. "Ah, I'm sorry. I read that it isn't very warm."

                                    ooc: this was awful. i'm sorry for the wait. ; w ;